Am I A Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?

We are all about you and your unique needs at Divine Smiles in Woburn and Winchester. We understand that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t right for you. That’s why we discuss all of your options when it comes to helping our patients decide on the proper cosmetic dentistry procedure. In many instances, this discussion will include porcelain veneers.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of tooth-colored ceramic. They fit over the front of your natural tooth to give it a new visible appearance. Porcelain veneers can give you a brand-new smile when you get them on all of your teeth. Many use veneers as a one-procedure smile makeover as long as they’re porcelain veneer candidates. Porcelain veneers can improve your smile’s appearance by

• Whitening discoloration
• Reshaping teeth
• Resizing small teeth
• Covering wear from grinding
• Covering small chips and cracks
• Closing gaps between your teeth
• Correcting minor crowding 

As you can see, porcelain veneers can completely transform your smile into one you love to show off. 

Our Boson porcelain veneer procedure is quick and painless. Our cosmetic dentist, Dr. Ryan Clancy, takes pride in the precision he uses to create beautiful smiles. You’ll find his attention to detail makes all the difference in crafting your custom porcelain veneers.

First, he’ll examine your teeth, mouth, gums, and bite. If all is well, he’ll remove a small portion of your tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. After your teeth are prepped, he’ll take digital impressions of your teeth and create your veneers using a CEREC machine. This tooth milling machine allows Dr. Clancy full control over your new veneers’ shape, size, and color. He’ll create them while you wait. In just one day, you’ll have a completely transformed smile. 

Signs Your a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are incredibly popular for people in the Woburn and Winchester area, and it’s easy to understand why – they’re beautiful, durable, and inconspicuous. But are veneers right for you? That’s the question we have to answer, and the only way to truly answer it is to visit our office for a consultation and examination. However, in general, the ideal porcelain veneers candidate:

• Has one or multiple concerns that veneers can address, such as discolored, chipped, cracked, broken, or irregularly shaped or spaced teeth.
• Is in good overall health and does not suffer from gum disease or other serious oral conditions. However, if you do have gum disease, you can still get porcelain veneers after we have eradicated it. 
• Has realistic expectations for what veneers can achieve.
• Is prepared to care for veneers with sound dental hygiene practices
• Does not grind or clench their teeth.
• Has sufficient tooth enamel. Since porcelain veneers require the removal of some enamel, you have to have enough, to begin with. If you have thin enamel, porcelain veneers may not be for you. 
• No missing teeth.
• No teeth that are too broken or hurting.

Other Cosmetic Dentistry Options with Similar Results

There are cases in which you may not be able to get porcelain veneers. These cases are usually because a patient is missing teeth, or their teeth are too damaged to be fixed with veneers. In these cases, the telltale sign will usually be pain. If you have a significant toothache, it’s unlikely that porcelain veneers are your answer. However, we have other Woburn and Winchester cosmetic dentistry options to fix your smile. If you have thin tooth enamel, we’ll recommend one of these alternatives. 

Dental Crown: A dental crown is similar to a porcelain veneer, but it covers your entire tooth, acting like a cap. It’s great for those with thin tooth enamel or teeth that are too broken and in pain for a veneer. While veneers are purely cosmetic, dental crowns are cosmetic and restorative. Dental crowns offer the same benefits as porcelain veneers with the addition of protection for your natural teeth. 

Dental Implant: If you’re missing teeth or your teeth can’t be saved, your best option is a dental implant.

Teeth Whitening: If you want to whiten your teeth, you might consider teeth whitening an option.